Unfortunate, even if it is not directly liked to the failure of the former and ousted government; since measures were so much political, the ministry of Environment has to step in with tangible policy to uproot such undisciplined practices. Otherwise, the remaining green in the Island will be seriously threatened. Only I can say it is so serious and need urgent measures to tackle such irresponsible acts. Direct pressure from the international organizations such as WWF and Conservations would be needed also, but also providing direct supports to the grassroots communities surrounding the protected areas bring immediate responses if well organized and assisted. Keep protect the natural and rare resources that still have its supreme values.

It is disgusting that man can do so much harm and not care shows how detatched people have become from nature and how stupid man realy is ....MORE PRESSURE MUST BE PUT ON GONERNMENTS!! all politians care about is themselves and their bank balance ....PUT PRESSURE ON THESE INDIFFRENT IDIOTS!!....AND THE COMPANIES THAT ARE HELPING TO CHOP EVERYTHING DOWN SHOULD ALSO BE BROUGHT TO BOOK!...it is first world countries that encourage this distruction and most of the times you find companies from Australia and other countries causeing the distruction when it is all gone the move on to the next 3rd world country

May we print this info for educatitioal use TO ENLIGHTEN PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

"Turmoil is going to last for months — no more rules, no more laws, no more police or control, just weapons and people starved for money or by greed," said the source. "2000 to 3000 people went to Masoala to harvest rosewood."

this will be a rapidly increasing trend in the tropics as economic collapse and peak oil destabilize society.

"Direct pressure from the international organizations such as WWF and Conservations would be needed also, but also providing direct supports to the grassroots communities surrounding the protected areas bring immediate responses if well organized and assisted. Keep protect the natural and rare resources that still have its supreme values."

the big name conservation groups are not prepared to handle these situations. local communities will have to take responsibility and form networks that function outside and beyond the capacity of failing governments, corrupt police, and greedy destructive interests. the monopoly of state and corporate driven violence cannot be confronted or altered from within the systems responsible.

resistance is fertile

http://www.gnn.tv/articles/3963/Globalized_Resistance

Local communities aren't really prepared to form these networks or "take responsibility", especially in parts of Madagascar where daily existence is a struggle. How do these communities which can barely feed themselves (and rarely have guns) take on armed gangs financed by wealthy foreigner traders? It's a lot easier said than done. What's your solution ryan king?

Unfortunately.What a sad fact.
I would like to say to international community that they act like a doctor after death.They actualy condamn this looting.I really agree with that but if they did it before the president was ousted.If all international community condmned this " coup d'etat" all of those problems will not happen.
What a pity! but what to do. There is no more any law in Madagascar and internationnal community didn't react to that before so they are helpless to resolve this problem.
I'm really sorry.

we need help from outside (that means all them 1st worlders and "environmentalists" in business suits have to get their hands dirty). local communities in these areas are unprepared to handle the issues but i have found over several years of teaching environmental ed and providing alternative resources that many tropical communities can adjust.

i know its a lot easier said than done.

more info
http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/

"What a pity! but what to do. There is no more any law in Madagascar and internationnal community didn't react to that before so they are helpless to resolve this problem. I'm really sorry."

agreed. the political situation there sounds disturbingly familiar: "A strong groundswell of resentment towards Ravalomanana already existed after he bought a new $60 million jet last year -- while 70 percent of locals live on less than $2 a day. * Dissatisfaction mounted when South Korean industrial giant Daewoo said it would lease 1.3 million hectares of prime land to meet its own food security needs. Rajoelina was a lead critic. * Since the opposition leader launched a campaign of strikes and protests in late January, about 135 people have been killed. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE ECONOMY? * The violence has delivered a hefty blow to the $390 million-a-year tourism sector. Private operators reported close to 100 percent cancellation rates for early 2009 and warn the entire year will be a write-off if there is no political solution soon"

source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/29692296

it is important to identify and pressure the not only the specific corporations, governments, and business interests involved in these crises, but also the very basis of capitalism and industrial civilization. the "developed" countries whose economies depend on resource extraction and cheap labor from abroad must be made responsible for the damage they have wrought on the planet.

this is not an isolated case. as peak oil, economic collapse, and global change devastate human populations, environmental and conservation efforts fall apart.

recent videos from the G20 Climate Protests indicate how the state will respond to peaceful protests and resistance:
Police Attack Climate Camp Protestors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9NkDW-lK3o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t244-zEENSs&feature=related

si vis pacem, parabellum

A petition has been launched to the British Prime Minister to urge the British government to push for the restoration of democracy in Madagascar and take urgent action to halt the destruction of 'protected' forests, which has spiralled out of control since the break down of law and order.

Please consider putting your name to the petition (more details are below) and ask any other UK residents or citizens you know to consider doing the same. The petition can be signed online at:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/madagascar/

Thanks very much!

----- Petition Wording -----

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to condemn the
undemocratic and unconstitutional seizure of power in
Madagascar; to refrain from recognising the new regime as the
valid government; to call for democratic elections to be held
as a matter of urgency; and to pressure those in power to take
swift action against loggers now devastating protected areas.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/madagascar/

----- Background Information -----

In March 2009 Andry Rajoelina, former mayor of the capital,
unseated the democratically elected president and took power by
force. This takeover violated the fundamental principles of
democracy and Madagascar's own constitution.

It is essential that the international community takes a firm
stand against such behaviour. Allowing a violent coup d'état to
be effective by recognising the new regime increases the chance
of others attempting the same in future.

Rajoelina plans elections in 18 months. It is imperative that
democratic elections take place as soon as possible, ideally
much sooner than Rajoelina proposes, to install a credible
Malagasy government.

Since the coup, armed criminal gangs have been quick to take
advantage of the lawlessness, logging precious hardwoods in
national parks & poaching endangered wildlife. Madagascar is a
hotspot for biodiversity and this devastation risks causing
irreparable damage, driving species to extinction & ruining
Madagascar's ecotourism industry.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/madagascar/